Question 1

Which of the following situations is an example of an ethical dilemma that can arise while the nurse on a medical unit is caring for a terminally ill patient who is near death?
A) The family wishes that the patient will live longer.
B) The family requests IV fluids for hydration of the patient.
C) The family requests administration of narcotics for the patient's pain relief.
D) The family refuses to allow the patient's transfer to a Palliative Care Unit.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

The nurse administers larger and larger doses of narcotics prescribed for pain control,which hastens the terminally ill patient's death.In which of the following acts has the nurse participated?
A) Euthanasia
B) Assisted suicide
C) Passive euthanasia
D) Withdrawal of treatment

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

The nurse decides not to raise the issue of organ donation with a patient's family because of fear of interfering with the grieving process.Which of the following statements describes how this nurse is acting?
A) The nurse is acting in the best interests of the family.
B) The nurse is acting in the best interests of the patient.
C) The nurse is being disrespectful of the patient's autonomy.
D) The nurse is acting this way because she knows the patient's organs are unsuitable.

Accepted Answer

The nurse is potentially being disrespectful of the patient's autonomy by not discussing organ donation, as it may have been the patient's wish to donate organs, and the family should be given the opportunity to consider it.

Question 4

Which of the following people can make the decision to donate postmortem tissue?
A) The nurse on duty at the time of the patient's death
B) The patient's spouse
C) The physician
D) The funeral director

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following people can make...

Question 5

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in Canada due to the ethical principle of the sanctity of life.In light of this,which other ethical principle might be in conflict for nurses who work with dying patients?
A) Autonomy
B) Veracity
C) Informed choice
D) Responsibility and accountability

Accepted Answer

The principle of autonomy refers to a person's right to make decisions about their own life and medical treatment. In the context of end-of-life care, this can create a conflict for nurses who may be required to respect a patient's desire to end their life through euthanasia or assisted suicide, even though it is illegal. This conflict can be difficult for nurses who strive to respect the autonomy of their patients while also upholding the law and professional ethical standards.

Question 6

The nurse is working with a dying patient and his family.The nurse should incorporate cultural factors into the evaluation of care.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is working with a dying...

Question 7

Which of the following approaches is the best way to increase the number of potential organ donors?
A) The nurse should approach all patients who are admitted through a hospital Emergency Ward and ask them about organ donation.
B) The nurse should wait until the patient is settled in an inpatient unit before asking about organ donation.
C) The nurse should only ask the families of dying patients in an Intensive Care Unit about organ donation.
D) The nurse should provide organ donor information to patients who are discharged from the hospital.

Accepted Answer

Providing organ donor information to patients who are discharged from the hospital would reach a wide audience and increase the number of potential organ donors. Asking patients upon admission or only asking families of dying patients may not reach as many potential donors. Waiting until patients are settled in an inpatient unit may miss the opportunity to ask patients who are discharged quickly or never admitted to an inpatient unit.

Question 8

For nurses,an ethical dilemma is resolved when a seriously brain-injured child,who is now brain dead,is removed from life support.

Accepted Answer

An ethical dilemma involves a situation where there are conflicting moral principles. Removing life support from a brain-dead child may resolve the medical situation, but the ethical dilemma involves considerations of the family's wishes, legal implications, and moral beliefs, which may not be fully resolved by the action alone.

Question 9

When discussing the condition of a terminally ill patient with his family members,the terminology "Do Not Resuscitate" should never be discussed and offered,because the family may think it means "do nothing."

Accepted Answer

"Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) is a medical order that instructs healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. It is important to discuss DNR with family members to ensure that the patient's wishes are respected and to plan for end-of-life care. However, it is also important to provide clear explanations and definitions of medical terminology during these discussions, to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.

Question 10

Which of the following activities will help to ensure the dignity of older adult clients,regardless of their capacity?
A) Use terminology that older adult clients can understand,such as "diapers."
B) Engage in conversation with older adult clients about their lives.
C) Take over control from older adult clients as much as possible to conserve their energy.
D) Call older adult clients by their first name only.

Accepted Answer

Engaging in conversation with older adult clients about their lives shows respect for them as individuals and acknowledges their experiences and wisdom. It can also help to establish rapport and trust. Using terminology that older adult clients can understand is important, but using language that is patronizing or disrespectful can be demeaning. Taking over control from older adult clients without their consent can also be disrespectful and take away their autonomy. Using only a first name without permission can be inappropriate and disrespectful in some cultures.

Question 11

Which of the following statements best describes assisted suicide?
A) It is a form of withdrawal of treatment.
B) It is a passive process,and the patient is mentally competent.
C) It is an active process,and the patient is mentally incompetent.
D) It is an active process,and the patient is mentally competent.

Accepted Answer

Assisted suicide involves a mentally competent patient actively seeking assistance to end their life, typically through the ingestion of a lethal medication. It is distinct from withdrawal of treatment, which may involve the withholding or ceasing of life-sustaining measures, but does not involve intentional actions to end the patient's life. It is also distinct from euthanasia, which involves a third party (such as a physician) actively administering the lethal dose.

Question 12

The daughter of a patient in the nurse's care states that her mother has verbally expressed her wishes for treatment.This is an example of an advance directive or living will.

Accepted Answer

Verbal expressions of wishes for treatment can be considered an advance directive or living will, as long as they are clear and specific. However, it is important for patients to have a written advance directive in place in case they are unable to communicate their wishes later on.

Question 13

Euthanasia means that all life-sustaining treatment is withdrawn.

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve their suffering. It may or may not involve the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, depending on the specific circumstances and laws in the jurisdiction.

Quiz 8: End of Life

Which of the following situations is an example of an ethical dilemma that can arise while the nurse on a medical unit is caring for a terminally ill patient who is near death?

The nurse administers larger and larger doses of narcotics prescribed for pain control,which hastens the terminally ill patient's death.In which of the following acts has the nurse participated?

The nurse decides not to raise the issue of organ donation with a patient's family because of fear of interfering with the grieving process.Which of the following statements describes how this nurse is acting?

Which of the following people can make the decision to donate postmortem tissue?

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in Canada due to the ethical principle of the sanctity of life.In light of this,which other ethical principle might be in conflict for nurses who work with dying patients?

The nurse is working with a dying patient and his family.The nurse should incorporate cultural factors into the evaluation of care.

Which of the following approaches is the best way to increase the number of potential organ donors?

For nurses,an ethical dilemma is resolved when a seriously brain-injured child,who is now brain dead,is removed from life support.

When discussing the condition of a terminally ill patient with his family members,the terminology "Do Not Resuscitate" should never be discussed and offered,because the family may think it means "do nothing."

Which of the following activities will help to ensure the dignity of older adult clients,regardless of their capacity?

Which of the following statements best describes assisted suicide?

The daughter of a patient in the nurse's care states that her mother has verbally expressed her wishes for treatment.This is an example of an advance directive or living will.

Euthanasia means that all life-sustaining treatment is withdrawn.